Question

Who had founded the first woman’s university in India?
A)Rani Ahilya Devi
B)Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
C)Rani of Thomi
D)Dhondo Keshav Karve

Answer 1

Hint: Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women's University was the first woman’s university in India. It was started in 1916.

Complete answer:
By the year 1851, almost three hundred and seventy-one educational institutions had been opened in India. Out of these, eighty-six were residential institutions.

Rani Ahilya Devi was the Queen of Maratha Malwa Kingdom. She ascended the throne in 1767 after all the male heirs to the throne died. She was a great ruler whose reign lasted for twenty-eight years. She was a pioneer of Hindu Dharma and ordered the establishment of several temples and Dharamshalas all across Maharashtra as well as India.

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was an eminent Indian social reformer and educator. He was the first one to modify the Bengali alphabet and typography. He introduced several social reforms like widow remarriage. Vidyasagar was a key figure of the Bengal Renaissance and promoted education among the backward classes.

Rani of Thomi played no role in female education in India.

Dhondo Keshav Karve was a social reformer who made an immense contribution to women’s welfare in India. He established the Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women's University in 1916 with the objective of educating more women.

Hence, the correct answer is option (D)

Note: 1)Dhondo Keshav Karve was a mathematics professor at Fergusson College, Pune from 1891 to 1914.He was a supporter of widow remarriage and even married a widow himself.
2)He was awarded the highest civilian honor in India, the Bharat Ratna in 1958.